Surgical Tech Guide

The economy is rapidly changing. How can you be sure you are making a good decision for going back to college for the job of Surgical Technologist, (also know as Surgical Technician.)

Getting the facts about the job market in this field is really the only way to feel confident about knowing the jobs are going to be there for you after you’ve spent the time and money in pursuing this field.

According to the Job Occupational Outlook Handbook the Surgical Technologist is listed as one of the fastest growing health occupations in the near future despite the downed economy. There are many factors that make this true and one of these is the fact that the surgical technician can be used in a variety of settings for surgeries other than the traditional hospital setting. Many surgical technicians are used in outpatient care centers as well as offices of physicians and dentists.

THE SALARY FOR SURGICAL TECHNOLOGISTS
Again, the Job Occupational Outlook Handbook is a good place to get these facts. According to the handbook in May 2008 the median annual wage was $38,740. The middle 50% earned between $32,490 and $46,910.

HOW LONG DOES THE TRAINING TAKE?
This is also encouraging as you may go for as short as 9 months to college or as long as 24 months. It depends on whether you are going for a certificate, diploma, or associates degree.
Remember, there are prerequisites to entering the program. You will need to make sure you have met these ahead of time. See the list of schools below near you and talk speak to the department head of the program for more detail or check out their website.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
This is also important to consider as you will be required to stand for long periods of time on cement in this profession. You will also be witness to surgical procedures daily that many people would prefer not to look at so these things are important to consider ahead of time.

WHAT OTHER HEALTH FIELD OPPORTUNITIES YOU MIGHT CONSIDER
If you are not sure the surgical tech route is not one you are ready to get on just yet, have you checked out the possibility of being a New York Dental Hygienist? It is a fast growing occupation that has the perk of offering part time work for full time pay. Another option is considering the field of being a New York MRI technician. The jobs are abundant in that field too. If you just want to get a job quickly in a health field right now and then work towards another field how about considering the job of New York CNA, also know as New York Certified Nursing Assistant, or New York Nurses Aide. This is the second fastest growing occupation in the nation and you can many times get your training in a few weeks for FREE.

NEW YORK ACCREDITED SURGICAL TECHNICIAN SCHOOLS
1. Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center – New York
2. Kingsborough Community College – Brooklyn
3. Long Island University – Brooklyn
4. Nassau Community College – Garden City
5. Niagara County community College – Sanborn
6. NYU Langone Medical Center – New York
7. Onondaga Community College – Syracuse
8. Stony Brook University – Stony Brook
9. SUNY Downstate Medical Center – Brooklyn
10 Trocaire College – Buffalo
11 Ulster County Board of Cooperative Ed – Port Ewen
12 Western Suffolk BOCES – Northport